Notebook: 2019 E1T1 Invitational (Sunday recap)
Injuries and travel issues kept the top 17-U programs on the sidelines Sunday on the final day of the 2019 E1T1 Invitational at the Big House in Tavares.
Instead, it was an exceptionally talented set of 2023 squads that stole the show.
In the end, it was the E1T1 Rebels taking down Team Breakdown, 71-60, for the championship.
EJ James — son of former University of Miami and NFL running back Edgerrin James, led four Rebels in double-digits with 13 points. Jalen DeBose added 12 points.
The Rebels, coached by former NBA player Chucky Atkins, are a fundamentally-sound, active squad out of the Orlando area with major firepower. No matter who the Rebels brought in off the bench, they didn’t seem to miss a beat. Impressive. The Rebels share the ball very well and are impressive on the defensive end.
Post Matthew Bewley led Breakdown with 16 points and big guard Marvel Allen (Benjamin School) added 15.
I will have more coming on both of these programs this week.
A bit of revenge
Team Breakdown did get a bit of revenge, taking down the independent Miami Warriors, 60-52, Sunday in the E1T1 2023 semifinals. Marvel Allen poured in 24 points — 20 in the first half — to power Breakdown. The Warriors had handed Breakdown a loss earlier in the year at DS Sportsplex in Deerfield Beach. The Warriors have an outstanding prospect in Jasai Miles. Miles, who played for Miami Country Day as an eighth-grader, had 22 points, including four 3s.
Martin double-double
Showtime Ballers 2022 Jaylen Martin posted a double-double Sunday with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The 6-5 shooting guard attends Florida State University School in Tallahassee. Martin has already been offered by Arkansas-Little Rock and Stetson. Later Sunday, Showtime Ballers defeated 1 Family to advance to the 15-U championship game behind 21 points from PG Tre Donaldson.
Dalger going to prep school
Several unsigned Broward County 2019s — including Tim Dalger, Lavar Miller, Masai Olowokere and DeShawn Bartley — helped power E1T1 South (17s) to victories over Showtime Ballers and TNT Hoopsquad. Dalger, a 6-5 forward out of Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, posted 14 points and 5 rebounds in the win over Showtime Ballers. Dalger verified with me Sunday that he intends to go the prep school route. He is just not certain where.
The 6-5 Olowokere, out of American Heritage-Plantation, hit for double-digits (13 points) in both outings. Miller, a guard for Kenneth Kelly at Western, connected on three 3s on the way to 13 points vs. Hoopsquad. PG Bartley led Dillard to an appearance in the 7A state title game as a senior.
Explosive Poteat
Orlando GPI All-Stars (17s) guard Shakur Poteat‘s play stood out in Tavares. The 6-1 2020 guard out of Orlando Edgewater showed the ability to be an explosive scorer. Poteat put up 25 points on E1T1. He has offers from Maryland Eastern Shore and Bethune-Cookman. 6-6 2020 forward Dequarious Boles is another Edgewater prospect to watch.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.